Sainsbury’s is making a significant change across its stores in a UK first. The major retailer is joining forces with Royal Mail to introduce parcel lockers across its UK stores, providing shoppers with convenient locations to drop-off and collect parcels in store.
This makes Sainsbury’s the first supermarket chain to collaborate with Royal Mail on its rapidly growing network of parcel drop-off and collection points. The delivery company initially launched its parcel locker network back in December to cater for the increasing demand for convenient parcel drop-off and collection points and to accommodate the rising number of second-hand marketplace sellers.
Royal Mail’s lockers are already operational in six Sainsbury’s stores across the UK, in Clapham, Desborough, Kempshott, Low Hall, Kidderminster and Chislehurst.
The supermarket has announced that it will be introducing more lockers soon as the service expands and the lockers will be accessible for customers seven days a week.
Prices for using the lockers start from £1.55 online for a small parcel that fits through the letterbox, and the smart lockers also offer label printing for customer convenience.
Customers simply need to pay for postage online and print the label by scanning a QR code at the locker or request a QR code if they are returning a purchase, reports the Express.
There are now over 1,500 lockers and 7,000 Collect+ stores that Royal Mail customers can use, and they can also drop off parcels small enough to fit in any postbox, and use the app to request proof of postage.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s chief property and procurement officer, has expressed excitement about the supermarket’s latest move, saying: “At Sainsbury’s we’re always looking for innovative ways to deliver the best value, quality and service for our customers.”
He also shared the enthusiasm for the new collaboration with Royal Mail, stating: “That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Royal Mail to offer this fantastic new proposition at our stores.
“The lockers will be available 7 days a week, giving customers an easy, convenient way to drop off and collect parcels via Royal Mail as they shop.”
Royal Mail’s Jack Clarkson, group strategy and transformation director, said: “Partnering with a retailer with the scale and popularity of Sainsbury’s is great news for our customers and the UK public, who will now have even more ways to drop off and collect their parcels in convenient locations.”
He further explained the driving force behind the initiative: “Due to the relentless growth in online shopping and second-hand marketplaces, there is increased demand from our customers for more parcel drop off and collection points.
“To meet our goal of making sending and receiving parcels as easy as possible, we must considerably expand our network. This is the start of an exciting partnership with Sainsbury’s that will help us to meet that goal at pace.”
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